The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 06, 2020
Filed:
May. 07, 2015
Alta Devices, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Gang He, Cupertino, CA (US);
Isik C. Kizilyalli, San Francisco, CA (US);
Melissa J. Archer, San Jose, CA (US);
Harry A. Atwater, South Pasadena, CA (US);
Thomas J. Gmitter, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Andreas G. Hegedus, Burlingame, CA (US);
Gregg S. Higashi, San Jose, CA (US);
ALTA DEVICES, INC., Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells are provided. A photovoltaic (PV) device generally includes a window layer; an absorber layer disposed below the window layer such that electrons are generated when photons travel through the window layer and are absorbed by the absorber layer; and a plurality of contacts for external connection coupled to the absorber layer, such that all of the contacts for external connection are disposed below the absorber layer and do not block any of the photons from reaching the absorber layer through the window layer. Locating all the contacts on the back side of the PV device avoids solar shadows caused by front side contacts, typically found in conventional solar cells. Therefore, PV devices described herein with back side contacts may allow for increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells.